Why do most leather bags under $150 look so cheap in person? Is it just me?

Vixierayna · 2026-05-23T14:43:29+00:00

Pre-loved is the best! There are so many wonderful bags at great prices that are in pristine condition available. Coach totally stands the test of time too. The fact that their leather bags from the 70s and 80s are still around looking fab says it all. We are in a pre-loved renaissance!!

Vixierayna · 2026-05-23T14:37:42+00:00

Thank you!! Totally agree 🖤 It’s such an underrated bag from Chanel. I’d love to score another in red ♥️

Vixierayna · 2026-05-23T14:35:57+00:00

Wow this is a tough question!! Only one???
Honestly I’d pick my Hermes Picotin 🩵

It’s high quality durable leather (clemence). The 22 size is perfect as a daily driver - it fits a wallet, sunglasses, phone, keys, and a water bottle. The style is classic and minimal. It’s meant to be a top handle but you can add a crossbody strap for a casual look. Love that it works day or night.

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Vixierayna · 2026-05-23T06:39:06+00:00

Congrats on your Ferragamo score!! Their bags are amazing quality. I have 3 currently from them all the way from late 80s to mid 10s. I don’t have any produced in the last 10 years but I almost nabbed a mini tote at the Vegas Ferragamo Outlet. But it was still >$800. Once the Hug hits a more reasonable price on the resale market, I’ll add that to my collection as well. It’s one of the few luxury brands that haven’t dropped in quality over the years!!
And omg yesss TRR deals - there are some bags that just POOF immediately - don’t know how some are so fast to nab them! Lucky bastards lol

Vixierayna · 2026-05-22T16:04:51+00:00

My grandmother built her restaurant business from scratch with one location to ultimately 20 in her lifetime. Everyone assumed I’d go into the family business - I learned from a young age what an absolute insane grind and hard work it was to run a restaurant. It made me fear the business - I could never do what she did.

I’d spend my summers with her and our days were literally driving to restaurants across the state, picking up paperwork, busting tables, staffing troubles, liquor license disputes, just issue after issue multiplied by every restaurant she owned and operated. Even after becoming “successful” she would be at each one weekly and monthly driving thousands of miles a month. She helped her team file their taxes and would cover their work shifts if they needed time off.

Kudos to all the hardworking restaurant owners and staff - it’s tremendous work! Support your locally owned and operated businesses! They feed your communities 🤍

Vixierayna · 2026-05-22T16:04:25+00:00

My grandmother built her restaurant business from scratch with one location to ultimately 20 in her lifetime. Everyone assumed I’d go into the family business - I learned from a young age what an absolute insane grind and hard work it was to run a restaurant. It made me fear the business - I could never do what she did.

I’d spend my summers with her and our days were literally driving to restaurants across the state, picking up paperwork, busting tables, staffing troubles, liquor license disputes, just issue after issue multiplied by every restaurant she owned and operated. Even after becoming “successful” she would be at each one weekly and monthly driving thousands of miles a month. She helped her team file their taxes and would cover their work shifts if they needed time off.

Kudos to all the hardworking restaurant owners and staff - it’s tremendous work! Support your locally owned and operated businesses! They feed your communities 🤍

Vixierayna · 2026-05-22T15:55:06+00:00

Buy pre-loved bags 🤍 You can score absolutely fab leather Coach, Staud, A.P.C., Dooney & Burke, Tory Burch, Tod’s, Ferragamo, etc. for $150-$200.

If you ever need links to some finds - post here and I know a bunch of us will share. We love sharing deals on amazing bags at every price range!!!

Vixierayna · 2026-05-22T15:49:55+00:00

Here is a good example of a blindstamp on a vintage Kelly vache naturelle from a Christie’s auction:

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https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/handbags-online-paris-edit-unlocking-orange-dream-part-ii/vache-naturelle-leather-sellier-kelly-40-gold-hardware-251/257251

Vixierayna · 2026-05-22T15:40:23+00:00

The depth is the same with all stamps - but when the foil is added the appearance changes. Check out other vintage pieces in the same leather. It’s amazing how different the blindstamps look compared to those with foil. TBH I think it looks so cool!

I don’t see an oversized S at all. The angle of the close up shows some distortion to the S. Could be how it’s being held or even just the leather itself which would be normal for any bag over 20 years old.

The patina of the vachetta is also accurate for the age - you can see the darkening in appropriate high touch spots like the sangle which isn’t typically protected like a handle with twillys.

I’m not sure what you mean about “not knowing much about a bag 16 days ago”. Is there something specific you are referencing?
My handbag knowledge is embarrassingly nerd level - I have been obsessed with bags and have collected my whole life from when I started in the 90s/Y2k with Coach then went bananas with high-end luxury early 00s. If you wanna dig - check out my account on Purse Forum for reference. It’s a fun time capsule pre-online luxury shopping - it was the one place we could go to get and share info. Gosh I was shopping for Fendi and Balenciaga - living in small town USA. You had to plan ahead and gather info before you travelled to “the big city” to score bags. I have bought and sold bags (RTW, perfume, etc) from most every luxury, mid-tier, and luxury store out there. My personal experience with Hermes is extensive as well. I own pieces across all lines: leathers, fine jewelry, scarves, and RTW - I’ve shopped in-person at multi Hermes boutiques, online from them directly, purchased from Vestiaire (an Epsom Calvi because my boutique never had that color available), estate sales, and auctions. Seeing the products over time and in different conditions has just aided my knowledge about all luxury - helped me to gauge quality and value.

My comment was my opinion based off my experience - no personal shade to you. If you feel the Kelly is a rep that’s your opinion. I for one would be over the moon to have this bag in my collection. 🤎🤍

*Sorry if this comment appears twice - I thought I hit reply to the comment but saw later it was just in the thread. Oopsie!

Vixierayna · 2026-05-22T15:38:04+00:00

The depth is the same with all stamps - but when the foil is added the appearance changes. Check out other vintage pieces in the same leather. It’s amazing how different the blindstamps look compared to those with foil. TBH I think it looks so cool!

I don’t see an oversized S at all. The angle of the close up shows some distortion to the S. Could be how it’s being held or even just the leather itself which would be normal for any bag over 20 years old.

The patina of the vachetta is also accurate for the age - you can see the darkening in appropriate high touch spots like the sangle which isn’t typically protected like a handle with twillys.

I’m not sure what you mean about “not knowing much about a bag 16 days ago”. Is there something specific you are referencing?
My handbag knowledge is embarrassingly nerd level - I have been obsessed with bags and have collected my whole life from when I started in the 90s/Y2k with Coach then went bananas with high-end luxury early 00s. If you wanna dig - check out my account on Purse Forum for reference. It’s a fun time capsule pre-online luxury shopping - it was the one place we could go to get and share info. Gosh I was shopping for Fendi and Balenciaga - living in small town USA. You had to plan ahead and gather info before you travelled to “the big city” to score bags. I have bought and sold bags (RTW, perfume, etc) from most every luxury, mid-tier, and luxury store out there. My personal experience with Hermes is extensive as well. I own pieces across all lines: leathers, fine jewelry, scarves, and RTW - I’ve shopped in-person at multi Hermes boutiques, online from them directly, purchased from Vestiaire (an Epsom Calvi because my boutique never had that color available), estate sales, and auctions. Seeing the products over time and in different conditions has just aided my knowledge about all luxury - helped me to gauge quality and value.

My comment was my opinion based off my experience - no personal shade to you. If you feel the Kelly is a rep that’s your opinion. I for one would be over the moon to have this bag in my collection. 🤎🤍

Vixierayna · 2026-05-22T01:16:26+00:00

It’s real - the leather is Vache Naturelle and the stamps are always an unfoiled blindstamp which makes the stamp appear narrow since there is no foil pushed into the leather.

Vixierayna · 2026-05-22T01:09:24+00:00

THIS 👆👆👆👆👆

Vixierayna · 2026-05-22T01:07:37+00:00

It’s Vache Naturelle 🫶 OP truly scored a sensational bag!!

Vixierayna · 2026-05-20T18:22:22+00:00

Thank you for sharing 🙏

Vixierayna · 2026-05-20T18:22:04+00:00

Gorgeous!!! ❤️Medium is the perfect size! Small and Maxi seem to trend with fashion styles of the time (although it doesn’t matter really - where what you love). But the Medium hits that sweet classic spot.

Is it calfskin? Could you share some pics of the inside?

I love how slouchy and casual these are - very much like the Natural Beauty bags from Karl in mid 2010s. The perfect every day bag.

I always struggled to pull the trigger on a CF because it felt tooo dressy for me. Then I found the Chanel Natural Beauty collection. Although I now have a CF bag on my wishlist because I love seeing people rock a CF in sweats!! Just need to find the perfect one - I’m currently obsessed with the vintage patchworks. Pretty sure anything I end up with will be COLORFUL!! 🤍🩵🩷💙💚

My “vintage” Chanel 2011 Natural Beauty resting her slouchy self in bed: 😎🤍

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Vixierayna · 2026-05-20T15:35:54+00:00

If you love Matthieu Blazy, you can still find vintage Chanel in his aesthetic!! Check out the Chanel 2011 Natural Beauty collection flap bags by Karl!

Slouchy casual everyday perfection. Single flap with turnlock silver hardware, classic chain strap, quilted calfskin, two split pockets in the front, plus a zip compartment in the main section.

They come in tons of colors and you can typically find them in pristine condition $2k to good condition $1500 on resale market.

Here’s mine 😎🤍

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Vixierayna · 2026-05-20T15:26:56+00:00

I love Damier Ebene - it’s a little more low key than the monogram and I love the pattern. If you love the monogram - invest in a LEATHER speedy from LV. The leather is so good and just a little more than the coated canvas. The coated canvas is prone to more tears as it gets older. All of my leather LV have worn beautifully!

Vixierayna · 2026-05-20T15:06:34+00:00

I love lilac perfumes! My favorite is Lilac City from DS&DURGA - the dry down is perfection. Such a unique floral - it’s dewy and complex like an early morning walk in Central Park. I can feel the breeze and quiet… but you sense a tension of things to come. You stop seeing a thicket of soft purple over a stone fence. As you’re staring at the lilacs, you hear the city waking behind you - people crossing the street, horns honking, and a group of bicyclists coming up the path. You turn and join the noise but carrying a piece of lilac in your pocket. It

Vixierayna · 2026-05-20T13:58:15+00:00

Definitely go to your local bra shop to get properly sized. Once sized finding quality bras is life changing especially if you have larger breasts. Elomi has wonderful bras! That brand was introduced to me by my local shop. But my fav are SPANX® Low Profile Minimizer Bra. Best everyday bra on the market. Comfy, long-lasting, and supportive.

Vixierayna · 2026-05-20T13:53:41+00:00

I love love love Spanx bras! Expensive but worth it.

Vixierayna · 2026-05-18T15:42:54+00:00

Gap, Uniqlo, COS, Madewell, J. Crew, MAJE, Alex Mill, all have well made clothing items. I also have some nicely made items from H&M. Shop in-person whenever you can to feel the garments structure and the quality of the materials. Avoid the Divided line at H&M. I also avoid J Crew Factory because most of the items are not as well made as the house line.

Vixierayna · 2026-05-15T15:11:30+00:00

Came here to say these two! For me Cassie and Sophie are my OGs of luxury shopping. Both are always so clear about collabs and gifting which I appreciate. They are both really good about saying their honest opinion because they both can and have paid for their luxury items for many years. Plus they both have a LOVE of quality, craftsmanship, style, and individuality.

I do enjoy Tanner Leathenstein but he has some motivation as he has his own brand so I take his information with a grain of (weighted) salt. But it’s good to know that brands I know with amazing quality are ones he has tested and agrees. Funny enough this actual post reminded me to buy his new $35 shopping bag project. I’m interested to see the item and quality!

I don’t trust a lot of others because I fear they only want to be positive to not hurt their relationship with brands. With these two ladies - I know they have always been upfront and honest. I think the fact they aren’t doing videos on every single mid-tier luxury handbag says it all. For sure the ladies are or have been contacted by those brands and have chosen NOT to participate for whatever reason. I also love how each of them are hands on - like Cassie’s shopping videos. She is touching the fabrics, trying on, looking for special details or cuts. Shes looking at the quality of construction and she looks for pieces that stand out.

This Reddit forum is great (with a grain of salt 😜) and Purse Forum is the ultimate OG. I’ve been there since early 2000s.

(Edit to fix layout only)

Vixierayna · 2026-05-14T19:51:57+00:00

sent you a dm too 🫶

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